NMS Spine & Joint Institute

While social media and constant connectivity have changed the landscape of the modern world, there will always be a few things that AI can’t replace; at the top of the list are fresh air, sunshine, and new experiences to broaden the mind and strengthen the body. For kids, those kinds of things are particularly important, and local summer camps are fantastic places to find them all. Other benefits to come to mind. Focused attention on areas of expertise, such as soccer or dance, can hone athletic skills; in-depth study outside of the classroom can open a young learner’s mind to a new subject, or offer more time to delve into the intricacies of one in particular; plus, any camp setting will introduce kids to peers and offer the space to form new friendships. “All those classic camp dynamics—being away from home and parents, making new friends, being part of a team, and trying new things—are building blocks to crucial social-emotional skills,” writes Leah Shafer for Harvard Graduate School of Education. “It’s not just the new environment and flexible schedule that builds kids’ social-emotional skills. Many camps have an intentional focus on social-emotional learning. … And most camps train staff to coach kids on becoming more independent, socially aware, and reflective.” The results of a study by the American Camp Association looked at myriad areas of life including careers and collegiate experience. The study found that “youths’ memorable summer narratives were often set at camp, despite the fact that youth generally spent much more time at home than at camp.” In addition, the report states: “Results show that in general, youth who had higher-quality camp experiences than their peers also had better school experiences the following spring.” So, whether parents and their c